Tim Cone left with regret as Jett Manuel walks away from Ginebra, PBA

MOST READ MANILA, Philippines—He may be saddened by Jett Manuel’s departure for a different career, but Ginebra coach Tim Cone lauded the former University of the Philippines for his guts to walk away from the game he has played his whole life.ADVERTISEMENT Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Cone tabbed Manuel to become part of the potential core that the Gin Kings will ultimately rely upon in the future, but the 12th overall pick of the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft chose to part ways with the franchise just days before the 2019 season began.Manuel, a licensed civil engineer, has decided to follow the career path that he had prepared himself for at the country’s no. 1 university.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSJapeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for GinebraSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissREAD: Jett Manuel leaves good impression in belated debutCone may have used Manuel sparingly during the Fighting Maroon’s rookie year, but the departure still left a sting on the multi-titled coach’s heart. Maria Sharapova retires with injury, Aryna Sabalenka reaches semifinals “I’m saddened by it all, but man it takes an incredible character to walk away from the game and to do something for your family,” said Cone after the Gin Kings’ practice Friday at Upper Deck. “That’s how he explained to me, his family wants him to get going on a career right away and it’s nice that he has that option.”“A lot of basketball players get so locked into their playing career that they don’t prepare themselves to do anything else, and the fact that he went to school and he did well in school and got his degree. He has the opportunity to be a top-flight engineer, which he will because he’s a very disciplined kid.”READ: Manuel ‘physically, mentally’ ready as he joins GinebraDespite being a first round pick, Manuel played sparingly for the Gin Kings only appearing in 21 games and putting up totals of 21 points, 10 rebounds, and eight rebounds—a stat line comparable to a day’s work by a starter.Manuel, though, had to compete with veterans LA Tenorio, Jeff Chan, Solomon Mercado, and even Mark Caguioa in the guard rotation. There’s also Thompson who has blossomed into a star in just his rookie season when he helped lead the Gin Kings to the 2016 Governors’ Cup.ADVERTISEMENT After winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folk Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Cone added that he regretted not giving Manuel enough time to show his skills on the PBA competition.“I think the regret is I didn’t give him enough playing time so that he could really feel good about his career, you get a guy like that, it really makes you sick that you didn’t give him that opportunity,” said Cone. “He’s a great kid and he’s a great representative of the game for us.”“He came and worked his butt off in practice, the only problem was he had a bunch of veterans in front of him, it was going to take patience. We felt that he was part of the future core.”Cone added that Manuel would still play on a part-time basis with Mighty Sports in the Dubai International Bball Championship but he also assured his former player that Ginebra is always open for a reunion.“I told him I left the door open, if he gets bored with the civilian life he can go back to our army and keep battling with us, but that will be on him,” said Cone.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Explosive Gilas Pilipinas not yet at its best, says Tim Cone PLAY LIST 01:45Explosive Gilas Pilipinas not yet at its best, says Tim Cone00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Japeth Aguilar embraces role, gets rewarded with Finals MVP plum LATEST STORIES View comments ‘Mia’: Rom-com with a cause a career-boosting showcase for Coleen Garcia Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college Phivolcs: Slim probability of Taal Volcano caldera eruption No.13 lucky for Orlando Bloom